Im sure for many of you, this month will consist of making new years resolutions, eating the last of the December goodies, whilst still getting over that terrible new years hangover.
Now were all going to be making promises for the year, some more realistic than others. One of the biggest saying's you will hear this month is "Im going to get fit" or "Im going to lose weight this year". Now making these promises is easy, but after the adrenaline rush of January is out the way its not so easy to keep them.
This gives me the prime excuse to talk about my other love in my life apart from fashion... Fitness!!!
As im sure we have all over indulged this festive period in one too many mince pies or like myself polished off a selection box.... or two :), then its time to get back on the health and fitness wagon and get shredding away that Christmas pud!
Staying fit and healthy is a huge part of my life as its essential for my work, therefore I do take a keen interest in all the latest tips and ways in order to maximize you training and diet.
Training
Rather than waffle on about a load of science that you may get bored with I want to give you an insight into what works best for me and what could help you too.
First things first set a reachable goal. If you have a reason to train and something to focus your energy on, then I can guarantee you will work harder. There's nothing worse than having an empty mind whilst training, a target goal such as losing a pound per week, running a marathon or even increasing your bench press by 10kg. Each give you the stimulation your mind needs to push you and your training to the limit.
The second thing I most value whilst training is a partner. And no not because I feel lonely training by myself :) well maybe a little, but more importantly because it enables you to work off each other, spot each other whilst using weights which means you can lift more and most of all MOTIVATE each other. Therefore if you do not already have a gym buddy or training partner then make a concious effort to find one. No need to put an ad in the local paper, just start getting to know more people in your gym with obvious similar interests.
So before commencing any training this year, set out your target goals whatever they may be, my tip is to write down your ultimate goal then follow it up with some smaller bite size ones, so you are constantly achieving. Personally this year I really want to complete a marathon. I have been saying for the past few years I am going to do one, so this year its going to happen!
I want to share with you a simple training idea in order to inject a little excitement into you regime. As we all know doing the same exercises over and over gets boring and we start to lack enthusiasm. Well try mixing it up a little and add this short but effective style session into your weekly plan:
"Dynamite Dozen" Circuit
Total Time for workout: 12mins
Intensity: High
You must complete each exercise for 50seconds followed by a 10second rest. Aim to complete as many repetitions as possible on each exercise and record the amount in order to compare results week by week.
1.Press ups 2.Pull ups
3.Jump squats 4. Kettle bell/dumbell swing
5. Hanging abdominal leg raises 6.Alternate leg jump lunges
7. Dumbbell Upright row 8. Burpees
9. Tricep dips 10.squat to press
11. Side plank 12.Plank
Feel free to do these exercises in any order, you can also change the exercises depending on what muscle groups you want to work. If you have a training partner then get them to write down the amount of repetitions you complete on each exercise in order to attempt to beat it the following week, or eachother!
This type of interval circuit training is brilliant for raising your heart rate, increasing fitness levels and all round getting a right sweat on!!! 12Minutes may sound like a short amount of time but If your not gasping for air by the end of it then you either haven't tried hard enough or ... your just a freak! :)
Give it a go and let me know what you think and what scores you record.
Happy training guys!!!
Jay
